Zlatan Ibrahimovic believes he is a victim of 'latent racism' and insists his critics would defend him if his second name was Svensson and he had blonde hair - even if he robbed a bank.

The 36-year-old, who is the son of a Bosnian father and Croatian mother, encountered difficulties growing up in Malmo but soon established himself as the most recognisable Swede on the planet.

As well as playing for Ajax, Juventus, Inter, Barcelona, PSG and United in a remarkable career, Ibrahimovic was awarded the Swedish Golden Ball a record 11 times.

Ibrahimovic's arrogance and infamous personality have rubbed up some people the wrong way and, in an interview with former Inter team-mate Olivier Dacourt, the United striker believes something sinister is at the heart of that criticism.

“They still attack me today because they do not accept me being Ibrahimovic,” he told Canal + . “If another player made the same mistakes as me, they would defend him. When it’s me, they do not defend me. But it’s okay, it’s what made me stronger.

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“I’m talking about racism. I’m not saying it’s asserted racism, but latent racism. That’s it, I’m sure. If my name was Svensson or Andersson, or if I was blonde, they would defend me even if I robbed a bank.

“I’m probably the best Swedish player in history. What I did, no-one had done before. The record of number of times anyone had won the Swedish Player of the Year was two. And how many did I win? Eleven. It never happened before. I’ve done for Swedish football what nobody has. I’m the best.”